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Funding Through Fees

In addition to imposing fines and penalties on offenders, states have
imposed nonoffender-based fees for certain services, which are used to
fund crime victim programs. For instance, many states add a surcharge
when issuing a marriage license. The money collected is used to fund
domestic violence or child abuse programs. Connecticut uses part of the
marriage license surcharge to fund rape prevention programs.33 Indiana
uses marriage license fees
to fund its general victim/witness assistance programs.34 Surcharge
amounts range from $3 in Minnesota to $38 in New Hampshire.35

In addition to marriage license fees, many states charge an additional
fee for filing for divorce. This amount ranges from $1 in Oregon to $32
in Ohio.36 Utah
assesses an additional $2 fee on all civil filings. This money is deposited
into the Children's
Legal Defense Account for guardian ad litem programs and other programs
involving child custody and visitation.37

The amount of money raised through such fees can be significant.
Nevada adds a $15 surcharge to its marriage license fee. This money is
deposited into an account to aid victims of domestic violence.38 In
1999, this program brought in $2.1 million.39 Ohio's
$32 surcharge for filing for divorce and its $17 fee for each marriage
license raised $3,203,668 for domestic violence shelters in 1999.40

Similarly, many states have attached fees, ranging from $1 to $10,
for issuing birth certificates. The money collected generally goes to
the Children's Trust Fund or to fund child abuse and prevention
programs.41 A
few states add a Children's Trust Fund surcharge when issuing a birth
certificate suitable
for display.42

A few states impose fees on the reinstatement of a driver's license
after its suspension or revocation for drunk or drugged driving. Illinois
imposes a $60 reinstatement fee on first-time offenders. Thirty dollars
of the fee is deposited into the Drunk and Drugged Drivers Prevention
Fund. For reinstatement after a second or subsequent suspension or revocation
for impaired driving, the
fee is $250, and $190 of that is deposited into the fund.43

As illustrated above, when states impose fees on government services
that have a logical connection to specific crime victim programs, they
have found a source of funding limited only by the creativity of advocates
and policymakers.